Ahern has owned and served as President of Janco Products, an office supply business, since 1984. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army, and previously worked as a sales manager for Abadan Reprographics. He holds a B.A. from the University of Denver and attended Gonzaga University School of Law.

Committee assignments

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Ahern served on the following committees:

Personal

Scorecards

Freedom Foundation

The Freedom Foundation releases its Big Spender List annually. The Institute ranks all Washington legislators based on their total proposed tax and fee increases. To find each legislator’s total, the Institute adds up the 10-year tax increases or decreases, as estimated by Washington’s Office of Financial Management, of all bills sponsored or co-sponsored by that legislator.[5]

2012

Ahern proposed a 10-year increase in state taxes and fees of $1.2 million, tied for the 85th highest amount of proposed new taxes and fees of the 93 Washington state representatives on the Freedom Foundation’s 2012 Big Spender List.[6]

The Freedom Foundation also issued its 2012 Informed Voter Guide for Washington State voters, including a legislative score card documenting how Washington State legislators voted upon bills the Foundation deemed important legislation. The legislation analyzed covered budget, taxation, and pension issues.[7] A a sign indicates a bill more in line with the Foundation's stated goals, and a d sign indicates a bill out of step with the Foundation's values. Here's how Ahern voted on the specific pieces of legislation: